Water Resource Programs: (continued)
The Importance of Flood Control

FACT: The Mississippi River Drainage Basin is the third largest the world, following in size only the watersheds of the Amazon and Congo Rivers.  It covers approximately 1.25 million square miles, gathering water from 41% of the continental United States. 
FACT: The Corps of Engineers' Flood Plain Management Services program proves free flood hazard information to individuals, communities, and public and private agencies.  Each year the program receives thousands of requests for its services.  This information has aided in an estimated $6 billion in property development.

     Navigation, flood protection, environmental restoration, water supply, and other civil works programs serve the country in countless ways, providing benefits far beyond their actual cost to the taxpayer.  These programs deserve funding that meets the Nation's growing water resources needs.  Consider the following:
     PORTS AND WATERWAYS provide an efficient transportation system moving 2.3 billion tons of domestic and foreign commerce annually.  For every $1 spent to improve the navigation infrastructure, the Gross Domestic Product is increased by more than $3.
     FLOOD PROTECTION PROGRAMS prevent an average of $21 billion in flood damages per year, saving $6 for every $1 that is spent.
     ECOSYSTEM RESTORATION PROJECTS work to protect and restore 165,000 acres of natural habitat.  Also, coastal projects protect hundreds of miles of eroding shoreline.
     HYDROELECTRIC POWER generated by dams produces enough electricity to supply 4.64 million homes with power and $553 million to the U.S. Treasury.
     And barge transportation is less threatening to the environment.  Moving goods by barge provides environmental benefits over surface modes of transportation in terms of air quality. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection estimates that towboat emissions per ton-mile are 35% to 60% less than truck emissions.

Sources:  "Civil Works Programs of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers," Washington, DC, 1999; "U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Annual Flood Damage Report to Congress for Fiscal Year 1999," Washington, DC, 2000. 

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